Community Agency Hires Pr Firm

February 28, 1986|By Jean Dubail, Staff Writer

BOCA RATON — The Community Redevelopment Agency decided Wednesday to hire a public relations firm to write an agency newsletter, organize a series of agency- sponsored concerts and otherwise seek to polish the CRA`s image among downtown business people.

Pat Smith of the Deerfield Beach firm of Smith and Knibbs will be paid $1,500 a month, plus expenses, for her work. The agency authorized Executive Director Joyce Costomiris to spend the money for the rest of the fiscal year, though she will have the right to decide from month to month whether services are needed.

``We need some professional advice,`` Costomiris said. ``We need someone to take the load off of us.``

``I think we have an instant need for them,`` agency board member Richard Simmons said.

Board members also said they had no interest in contributing financially to a proposed marathon to be run in March between Boca Raton and Delray Beach.

Proceeds from the marathon, which would have many corporate sponsors, are to benefit the United Way of Boca Raton and the Community Chest of Delray Beach. Organizers had asked the agency to act as cosponsor and pay any costs associated with providing police support in Boca Raton.

But board member Glenn Murray said it would be unwise to grant requests for financial help from organizers of events, no matter how worthy the cause.

``We (would) become prey to every solicitation in town,`` Murray said. ``Pretty soon we`re going to (be asked to help) the dog show, the horse show. This isn`t what we`re supposed to do.``